A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fourie family of France.
Reg. 0995 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
headHonour, and a mind held high
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A blue background crossed by three gold diagonal bands. A silver strip runs along the top, carrying a red lion's head.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois bandes d'or; au chef d'arg., ch. d'une tête de lion de gu.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1591
Where the Fourie Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Fourie arms are recorded
The Fourie arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1591.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Fourie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Fourie Family in France
The surname Fourie has its roots in the Lorraine region of France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1591. The name is believed to be a variation of the French word "fourier," which historically referred to a person responsible for providing fodder or supplies for horses and troops. In a time when travel and military movement relied entirely on pack animals, this was a vital role within a community or an army.
As the 17th century progressed, many families from the Lorraine region faced significant social and religious pressures. This led to a wave of migration, with many individuals seeking new lives in places like the Netherlands. From there, some members of the Fourie family eventually traveled to the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1600s. They became part of the early European settlement in South Africa, where the name evolved into its modern form and became a well-established part of the local population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
forrier
Forager, quartermaster, or supplier of fodder.
This name
FourieAn officer or soldier responsible for gathering forage and arranging lodgings.
also spelled
Fourie
Fouriere
Fooryay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Botha, C. Graham, The French Refugees at the Cape, 1921
De Villiers, C. C., Geslacht-register der oude Kaapsche familien, 1893
Cape Town Archives Repository, Council of Policy records (C. 1–16), 1652–1700
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
headHonour, and a mind held high
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
headHonour, and a mind held high
lionCourage, strength and royalty
